OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOM

NBC correspondent David Bloom dies in Iraq

'Today' co-anchor succumbs to apparent pulmonary embolism

David Bloom, an NBC correspondent embedded with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division outside Baghdad and co-anchor of the ”Today” show weekend editions, died in Iraq while covering
the war, NBC said today.

Bloom was ”embedded” with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, and had reported on the unit’s advance toward Baghdad in recent days. He covered the war on a specially modified M-88 tank recovery vehicle that allowed him to file live reports during the division’s campaign from Kuwait to the outskirts of Baghdad.

Bloom joined NBC in Chicago in 1993, and served as White House correspondent before taking over as co-anchor of the ”Today” show weekend editions in March 2000. He covered many
top stories, most recently reporting from Israel on the escalating violence in the Middle East and from the U.S. on homefront security and the recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Bloom among ’embedded’ reporters

Bob Wright, NBC’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a note to his staff: ”In times like these, a journalist’s contribution to his country is measured in terms of illustrious commitment and sacrifice. … There was no one more devoted to his calling than David Bloom and for that we are both grateful and humbled.”

Bloom is survived by his wife, Melanie, and three daughters.

Some 600 journalists are embedded with U.S. and British forces. Six journalists have died in Iraq since the war began about two weeks ago. Two others are missing. Four journalists were killed in the Gulf War 12 years ago.